Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'figure'

English Word: figure

Key Russian Translations:

• фигура [ˈfʲiɡʊrə] - [Common, used in contexts like art, geometry, or general shapes]
• цифра [ˈtsɨfrə] - [Informal, specifically for numerical digits]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in educational, artistic, and mathematical discussions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level, as it involves basic noun declensions and contextual usage; for 'фигура', it's straightforward, but 'цифра' may require understanding of numbers, per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

фигура: [ˈfʲiɡʊrə]

Note on фигура: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'г' is pronounced as a voiced velar fricative, which can be tricky for English speakers used to harder 'g' sounds. Variations in informal speech may soften the vowel sounds.

цифра: [ˈtsɨfrə]

Note on цифра: The 'ц' is a voiceless alveolar affricate, similar to 'ts' in 'bits'; pronunciation remains consistent across contexts, but regional accents might alter vowel length.

Audio: Play audio for 'фигура' and 'цифра' [Here, insert an audio player or link placeholder for Russian pronunciation files.]

Meanings and Usage:

A numerical symbol or digit

Translation(s) & Context:

• цифра - Used in mathematical or everyday counting contexts, such as in finance or statistics; informal and precise for numbers.

Usage Examples:

• Эта цифра важна для расчётов. (This figure is important for calculations.)

  This digit is important for calculations.

• В телефоне нужно набрать правильную цифру. (You need to dial the correct figure on the phone.)

  You need to dial the correct digit on the phone.

• Цифры в этом отчёте не совпадают. (The figures in this report don't match.)

  The digits in this report don't match.

• Каждый ребёнок учится распознавать цифры с детства. (Every child learns to recognize figures from childhood.)

  Every child learns to recognize digits from childhood.

A shape or form, especially in art or geometry

Translation(s) & Context:

• фигура - Used in artistic, anatomical, or geometric contexts; can be formal and is common in descriptions of sculptures or diagrams.

Usage Examples:

• Художник нарисовал красивую фигуру человека. (The artist drew a beautiful figure of a person.)

  The artist drew a beautiful human figure.

• В геометрии круг — это простая фигура. (In geometry, a circle is a simple figure.)

  In geometry, a circle is a simple figure.

• Эта статуя имеет идеальную фигуру. (This statue has a perfect figure.)

  This statue has a perfect form.

• Фигуры в балете должны быть грациозными. (Figures in ballet must be graceful.)

  Figures in ballet must be graceful.

• Архитектор спроектировал фигуру здания с уникальными формами. (The architect designed the figure of the building with unique shapes.)

  The architect designed the shape of the building with unique forms.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'фигура' and 'цифра' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard first-declension patterns. 'Фигура' is a common noun with regular inflections, while 'цифра' is also regular but may vary slightly in plural forms. Below is a table outlining the key inflections:

Case/Number	Фигура (e.g., a shape)	Цифра (e.g., a digit)
Nominative Singular	фигура	цифра
Genitive Singular	фигуры	цифры
Dative Singular	фигуре	цифре
Accusative Singular	фигуру	цифру
Instrumental Singular	фигурой	цифрой
Prepositional Singular	фигуре	цифре
Nominative Plural	фигуры	цифры

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them relatively easy to learn. For 'фигура', it remains unchanged in most compounds, while 'цифра' can be used in phrases like 'двузначная цифра' (two-digit figure).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for фигура: форма (form) - Often used interchangeably in artistic contexts; очертание (outline) - More specific to shapes.
• Synonyms for цифра: число (number) - Broader term for any numeral; знак (sign) - In mathematical symbols.
• Antonyms for фигура: абстракция (abstraction) - Used when contrasting with concrete shapes.
• Antonyms for цифра: буква (letter) - In the context of alphabets vs. numbers.

Related Phrases:

• Человеческая фигура - Human figure; refers to the depiction of the human body in art or anatomy.
• Геометрическая фигура - Geometric figure; commonly used in educational settings for shapes like triangles.
• Двузначная цифра - Two-digit figure; a phrase for numbers between 10 and 99, often in math problems.
• Фигура речи - Figure of speech; relates to rhetorical devices in language.

Usage Notes:

'Figure' in English corresponds most closely to 'фигура' for shapes or forms and 'цифра' for numbers, but context is key—use 'фигура' in artistic or geometric discussions and 'цифра' for numerical values. In formal Russian, these words are neutral and can be used across domains, but avoid 'цифра' in non-numerical contexts to prevent confusion. For learners, pay attention to declensions as Russian requires case agreement; for example, choose between 'фигуру' (accusative) or 'фигурой' (instrumental) based on sentence structure. When multiple translations exist, select based on specificity: 'фигура' for visual representations and 'цифра' for quantitative ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'фигура' when meaning a numerical digit, e.g., saying "Эта фигура равна 5" instead of "Эта цифра равна 5". Correct: 'Цифра' is the proper term for digits to avoid ambiguity. Explanation: English speakers often overlook the distinction, leading to confusion in mathematical contexts.

• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., using 'фигура' in genitive as 'фигура' instead of 'фигуры'. Correct: In a sentence like "цвет фигуры" (color of the figure), it should be "цвет фигуры". Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case, so always check the grammatical role.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'фигура' often carries connotations in art and literature, influenced by historical figures like those in Soviet-era sculptures, symbolizing strength and ideology. For 'цифра', it's tied to educational traditions, where numbers are emphasized early in schooling, reflecting Russia's strong mathematical heritage from figures like Lobachevsky.

Related Concepts:

• форма
• геометрия
• числовая система
• абстрактное искусство